God-centered Prayer

There are times when problems loom large in life. They seem to consume all our time and thought. They rob us of simple pleasure and rest. Problems will do that until we render them to their proper place of purpose.

"It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, 'A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar' (which is En Gedi). And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD" 2 Chronicles 20:1-4.

An excerpt from "After the Spirit Comes" by Jack R. Taylor (pg. 33-34)

"...Listen to the final word of Jehoshaphat to the Lord: 'O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have not might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON THEE' (2 Chron. 20:12). This is precisely where a problem begins to turn into prosperity. And this is precisely where most of us lose out in our problems. It is a matter of transferring the problem from our hands into His. Many of us engage in problem-centered praying. That is, we reckon more with the problem than anything else. Jehoshaphat engaged in God-centered praying. He turned his eyes away from the problem and unto the Lord. OUR EYES ARE UPON YOU! He talked with God, left the issue with God, and heard from the Lord.

God's word to him was: 'Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude: for the battle is not yours, but God's' (2 Chron 2:15). Let that final word vibrate down through the corridors of your soul...NOT YOURS BUT GOD'S! NOT MINE BUT HIS! IF we could but be convinced that the battle is the Lord's, the victory would soon ensue."

When you pray about problems in life, do you rehearse the problem (which gives it prominence) or do you rehearse the greatness of God (which reminds you of His preeminence)?

Diane